Vitamin Confidence
This photo was taken in Burlington, VT back in 2012 on a solo vacation I took. The tree looked like it was dancing. I always loved it.
I’ve spent a lot of time examining self confidence. Why is it that some days you can feel bulletproof and unstoppable, and other days you feel like all is lost and you’re hopeless? We often equate successful people with having loads of confidence. Perhaps some people are just more confident in nature. Maybe they’re born with it, and others aren’t so lucky.
I would beg to differ.
I started to think about confidence like a vitamin level. Something that, like vitamin C or D, could go up and have positive results, and when depleted yield negative results. Maybe confidence is something you could actually regulate. Not necessarily with a magic supplement but rather altered behavior to cultivate more Vitamin Confidence. When I find myself the least confident and riddled with self doubt (which happens often) I have tried a new approach. Instead of surrendering and giving in to these feelings, I stop and change something. Am I hungry? Am I overstimulated with screens and news? Am I tired? Oddly enough, after taking a break for a meal or a coffee, taking a walk outside or just a good night’s sleep, I feel my confidence level rise. Once I started to see confidence like a vitamin level that I could regulate with my lifestyle, I’ve began getting less down on myself and feeling stronger more often.
Do I still get down and feel lost? Absolutely. But now I take it as a message from my body and mind telling me that I may need a supplement. I’m working to be kinder to myself. Kindness is a confidence booster. It’s a reminder that everyone goes through it. Even all those fancy successful people you admire. Often times an interview will reveal that said successful people have suffered with just as many bouts of low self confidence and self doubt.
Maybe we could all use a daily confidence vitamin supplement as simple as telling yourself “It’s gonna be okay. You’re okay. Keep going.” Just a thought.